Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-07-15


quire it. or when the branch to Washing
ton might be completed, repair-shops on
liberal scale would also be built. He also
stated what land was required for the
purpose.
In August, 1872. proposals were receiv-
ed from several parties as to the price
asked for lots, and an election was order
ed for Sept. %, 1872, submitting to the
voters Of the town the question as to
whether sum not to exceed $4,000, be
appropriated to the purchase and dona-
tion of land for the erection of an engine
house and division shops.
The proposed election was not held, the
people preferring to let the Council take
action, and accordingly on the 31st OF
August committee of five was appoin-
ted on behalf OF the city to contract for
the purchase or condemnation of the prop
erty wanted by the Railroad Company for
the purpose named. At the same time the
City Attorney was consulted as to the
Councils right to purchase the land with
out submitting the matter to vote of the
people. The Attorneys opinion was that
the Council ''has the power, if it be such
an appropriation as in its judgment will
rebound to the interests of the city,
Sept. 4, 1872, 200, or as much there
of as necessary, was appropriated for the
purchase of suitable piece of land to be
usad for the purposa named
In October. ~, resolution was adopt
ed by the Council, requesting the e. & o.
Co. to take steps for the condemnation of
all grounds specified and required for it's
use.
March 4. 1878, Col. J. B. Baldwin,
counsel for the company, informed the
council that he had had commissioners
appointed to condemn the land, and the
the prices were affixed to each: Lot of
Harmau & Bell So. 500; lotof J. D. Shomo,
So 800; lot of DR.. W. s. McChesney, ST.
600; lot of E. W. Shott, 5000, making a
total of $500
On April 10Th, 1878, an ordinance
was passed authorizing the issue of
coupon bonds to the amount of SIS, 500, to
pay the condemnation prices above given.
On May 175h following. the receipt of
Col. Baldwin for the company for $500
in full satisfaction for the amounts assess
ed by the commissioners as compensation
for the land taken by the company, for
''the procuring of lands for the erection
of shops by said Company" was present.
ed and accepted.
In relation to the donation of the land by
the city to the Railroad Company the
Finance Committee was. on March 10.
1878, instructed to investigate the SUBJECT
and report whether there had been such
failure on the part of the company
as to the performance of its conditions on
which the donation was made, as to en-
able the city to recover the land or to SUBJ
ject the same to sale.
A report was made on the 22d of March,
1878, showing that the land bad passed be-
yond the control of the R. r. Co., and the
creditors of that company were the proper
persons with whom the city would then
have to deal. A resolution was then
passed requesting the City Attorney to at
once notify the attorneys for the creditors
of the said company that this city does
and will assert its right to said property,
or its equivalent. and to take such other
legal steps as he might deem proper and
necessary to protect the city.
This is as far as the record in this mat
fer poes The road and with if fhe round
house and grounds we're sold to the Ches-
apeake Il Ohio Railway Co., by the G. &
o. Railroad Co.
The round-house was never made real
railroad shop. 1t was used for the storage
of locomotives when they were not on the
road, and the road smiths and carpenters
did repair work there.
About three years ago this work was
discontinued at Stanton and the work.
men, with number Of railroad men who
lived here, went to Clifton Forge. The
recent trial to induce the company to put
the repair shop here again, which trial,
though earnest and active, was fruitless,
is still fresh in the minds of our people.
The round-house and grounds bave been
leased by the bark company for five years.